Maryland: Harris Will Meet With NRCC About Rematch

State Sen. Andy Harris said he intends to meet with the National Republican Congressional Committee sometime in the next two weeks to talk about a rematch against freshman Rep. Frank Kratovil (D) in 2010.

Ill stop by and let them know that Im certainly still interested in the 1st Congressional district in Maryland, Harris said Monday afternoon.

Harris knocked off moderate Rep. Wayne Gilchrest in the 2008 GOP primary, and he then went on to lose by a razor-thin margin in a contest that he didnt concede until a week after Election Day.

We were within a percent in what was a terrible year for the Republicans, and Im hoping 2010 will be a better year, Harris said.

While Harris has not made an official announcement that he intends to run, he has set up a federal campaign committee for 2010 and has already started raising money for another run against Kratovil.

We raised some money in the last quarter, well probably be raising money in this quarter, although the election is still 22 months away. I would expect the serious fundraising wont begin until next year, he said.

Republicans can be sure that Democrats will be very interested in keeping the 1st district in the Democratic column, especially with House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D) and Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Chris Van Hollen both hailing from Maryland.